Rodrick Almar Rutledge (born August 12, 1975) is a former professional American football player who played tight end for five seasons for the

New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East divisio ...

and

Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division, and play their home ga ...

of the National Football League (NFL). Rutledge was the first player to ever catch a pass from Tom Brady, a 6-yard reception on Thanksgiving Day 2000 against the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at Ford ...

. Known more for his blocking than his pass catching, Rutledge was a key member of the 2001 Super Bowl champion Patriots.

References

1975 births Living people Alabama Crimson Tide football players American football tight ends Houston Texans players New England Patriots players Players of American football from Birmingham, Alabama Tom Brady {{tightend-1970s-stub